Road top mixer



Nov. 19, 1935.

F. s. BEACH r-:r AL 2,021,249

ROAD TOP MIXER Filed Feb. 1'7, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet l N w a m Inventor Nov. 19, 1935. F. s. BEACH ET AL ROAD TOP MIXER Filed Feb. 17, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor JQiZeQa/Z ZTHBeac k Attorney Nov. 19, 1935. F. s. BEACH ET! AL ROAD TOP MIXER 4 SheetsSheet 3 Inventor Filed Feb. 17, 1934 Attorney Nov. 19, 1935. F. s. BEACH El' AL 2,021,249

ROAD TOP MIXER Filed Feb. 17, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 jifzeafi/z M FHBeac'Z flilomey Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES ROAD TOP MIXER Fred S. Beach and Fitch H. Beach, Charlotte, Mich.

Application February 17, 1934, Serial No. 711,781

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in mixers for use particularly in the construction of roads or highways.

There is in widespread use at present a method of finishing roads by applying a surfacing thereto comprising a mixture of gravel or crushed rock and asphalt oil or tar, commonly known as road oil. The usual procedure is to place the untreated gravel or stone on the road bed and then spraying the asphalt oil or tar thereon. The primary object of the present invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine embodying a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts through the medium of which the surfacing material may be thoroughly and expeditiously mixed while in place on the road bed and thereafter leave the mixed material in substantially its original place.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the aforementioned character which will thoroughly mix the surfacing material without damaging the road bed.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a wheeled mixing machine comprising a plurality of shovels which may be conveniently adjusted vertically as desired by the operator.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a road top mixer which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efiicient and reliable in operation, compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:--

Figure 1 is a view in top plan of a mixing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the machine, taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view, taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail view in vertical section through one of the adjusting units, taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a view in vertical section, taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view, showing a plurality of the shovels.

Figure '7 is a detail view in side elevation showing the front adjusting means.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing, separated, one of the shovels and its attaching bracket.

Figure 9 is a detail view in perspective of the drag which supports the forward end of the machine.

Figure 10 is a detail view in vertical section through one of the adjustable axle bearings, taken substantially on the line I illfl of Figure 3.

Figure 11 is a detail view in perspective of one of the axle guides.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a frame which is designated generally by the reference numeral i, said frame including metallic side bars 2 between which a plurality of spaced, parallel cross members 3 extend, said cross members being in the form of I-beams.

Rigidly secured to the lower portions of the cross members 3 and depending therefrom are brackets which are designated generally by the reference numeral 4. As illustrated to advantage in Figure 8 of the drawings, each bracket i includes a base plate 5 which is engageable beneath the cross member and an upstanding, inwardly off- 20 set end portion 9 which is engageable with the web of the cross member. Depending from the base portion 8 is a hanger H3 having a vertical forward edge which carries a diagonally arranged, arcuate plate ll. Reversible shovels l2 are detachably mounted on the plates ii of the brackets 4 by suitable means, such as bolts, said plates I! and the shovels I2 having openings I3 and l 4, respectively, therein for the passage of the bolts. The plates H are further provided with sockets i5 for the reception of lugs 56 on the shovels I2 for retaining said shovels against rotation. The brackets 4 may be secured on the cross members 3 by any suitable means, such as bolts or rivets.

As illustrated to advantage in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the brackets are arranged in staggered relation on the cross members 3. The plates H of the brackets t are alternately inclined diagonally in opposite directions so that the shovels thereon will first throw the material in one direction and then return said material to substantially its original place where it is left after the machine passes. It will thus be seen that the surfacing material is moved back and forth several times during a single passage of the mixer, depending upon-the number of shovels in use.

The frame I is suspended for vertical adjustment on the axle I! of a pair of dual tired wheels l8. Vertical adjustment of either or both sides of the frame I may be accomplished through the medium of adjusting units which are designated generally by the reference numeral l9. Each adjusting unit l9 comprises a standard 20 in the form of a U-beam rising from a supporting plate 2! which is mounted on a pair of the cross members 3. Journaled in the standard 20 is a crank arm 22 having fixed thereon a Worm gear 23 which is enclosed by a casing 24 mounted on said 60 standard 20. The inner end of the crank arm or shaft 22 is journaled in a brace 25, as best seen in Figure 4. of the drawings. Also journaled in the standard 26 is a transverse drive shaft 26 having a worm gear 21 fixed thereon and engaged with the gear 23. A hand wheel 28 is fixed on the inner end of the drive shaft 26. A brace 29 is provided for the shaft 26. Each adjusting unit [9 further includes a pair of hangers 39 which are pivotally suspended from the free end of the crank shaft 22 and between the offset lower end portions 3! of which a bear ing 32 is secured by a bolt 33.

The axle ll is journaled in the bearings 32, as best seen in Figure 10 of the drawings. Suitable supporting plates 34 are mounted beneath the frame I and mounted on said plates 35 are guides 35 which straddle the axle H. The side bars 2 of the frame I have formed therein notches or recesses 36 which accommodate the axle ll. The reference numeral 3? designates an operators seat which is mounted between the hand wheels 28 on the frame l.

A substantially l-shaped tongue 39 is pivotally mounted, as at 49', for swinging movement in a vertical plane on an intermediate portion of the frame l. Depending from the forward end of the tongue 39 is a plate A to which an elongated draft link il is connected by a forwardly projecting loop 42. Mounted horizontally on the forward end portion of the tongue 39 is a plate 43 in which the vertical leg 44 of a drag 45 is journaled. The leg 44 terminates in an angularly extending lower end portion 56 to which the ground engaging shoe 4? is fixed. The leg M also extends through a loop 48 which is mounted on the depending plate ll The forward end of the tongue 39 is supported on the drag 45 through the medium of a plurality of washers B which are mounted on the leg M beneath the plate 43, the lowermost of said washers being fixed on said leg. A collar 5| is provided on the upper portion of the legs 44- for preventing detachment of the drag 15 when the tongue 39 is swung upwardly. Braces 52 extend between the lower portion of the depending plate in and the arms of the tongue 39.

An adjusting unit designated generally by the reference numeral 53 is provided for raising and lowering the forward end of the frame I on the tongue 39. The unit includes a transverse plate 54 having bearings on its end portions in which a shaft 55 is journaled. Fixed on the end portions of the shaft 55 are grooved sprocket wheels 58 over which chains El are trained, one end of said chains being connected to the front cross member 3 of the frame I. An inclined drive shaft 58 is operatively connected to the shaft 55 by a housed gear connection 59. A hand wheel 60 is fixed on the free end of the shaft 58.

Briefly, the operation of the machine is as follows:-

The tongue 39 is connected to a suitable draft vehicle, such as a tractor, through the medium of the link ll. As the machine travels over the road the surfacing material is shifted laterally and then returned to its original position by the alternately reversed staggered shovels [2, as hereinbefore explained. As also hereinbefore set forth, after the machine has passed the thoroughly mixed surfacing material is left substantially in its original position on the road bed, this constituting an important and highly desirable feature of the invention. The front of the machine and either or both sides of the rear thereof may be conveniently adjusted to successfully meet different conditions that may be encountered by simply operating the hand wheels 5 Gil and 28, as will be apparent. The forward end of the tongue 39 may be adjusted relative to the road by varying the number of washers 50 on the leg 45 of the drag 45.

When the hand wheels 28 are rotated the crank shafts 22 are actuated for raising or lowering the frame l on the axle I! with which the guides 35 are slidably engaged. When the shaft 58 is rotated the forward end of the frame I is swung upwardly or downwardly beneath the tongue 39 through the medium of the chains 51. The reference numeral 6| designates a support for the shaft 58 which is mounted on one of the cross members 3.

It is believed that the many advantages of a mixer constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A road top mixer comprising an axle, wheels journaled on the axle, a frame, mixing shovels mounted beneath the frame, and independent means adjustably connecting the opposite sides of the frame to the axle, each of said means including a plate mounted on the frame, a stand- 35.

ard of substantially U-shaped horizontal section rising from the plate, a casing mounted on the standard, a crank shaft journaled in the casing, a drive shaft journaled in the casing, gears operatively connecting the shafts, means for manually actuating the drive shaft, a pair of hangers pivotally suspended from the crank shaft, a bearing mounted between the hangers, the axle being journaled in the bearing, and a guide mounted on the frame and slidably straddling the axle.

2. A road top mixer comprising a frame including a plurality of cross members of substantially I-shaped cross section, brackets mounted on the cross members, each bracket including a base portion engaged beneath the cross member and having an inwardly offset upstanding end portion engaged with the web of said cross memher, a hanger depending from the base portion, and a diagonal plate on the forward portion of the hanger, and a reversible shovel detachably mounted on the plate.

3. A road top mixer comprising an axle equipped with ground engaging wheels, a rigid frame horizontally pivoted on said axle, means vertically adjustably connecting each side of said 0 frame to said axle, draft means pivoted on the front of the frame, first operating means connected to the first mentioned means for separately vertically adjusting either or both sides of the frame, third means vertically adjustably connecting said draft means with the front of the frame, fourth means for operating said third means said frame being equipped with road top mixing shovels, said shovelsbeing pivotally connected to said frame for adjustment on a vertical axis into different diagonal positions.

FRED S. BEACH. FITCH H. BEACH. 

